Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Montenegro.
Bryan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all started in early 2017 when I was going through a toxic, painful emotional episode. As we can all probably agree, those times can bring a person down to the lowest of lows. Desperately looking for a release, I translated those emotions into artwork by putting my hand to pen and paper. This was the most important part of my entire career because that was when I learned the ability to channel negative energy into something constructive, and ultimately letting go of the pain by sending my artwork out into the world. So I began drawing tattoo-style artwork. This artwork included imagery of Skulls, Bones, Roses and Scythes along with altered quotes from some of the music that I was listening to at the time, mainly The Weeknd and Chet Baker. I described it as “Macabre artwork inspired by Love, Death and Music”.
I started an Instagram brand titled BLXK MNTN, which translates into Black Mountain because of my last name, “Montenegro”. I dedicated that brand to my artwork and posted every single day for a year straight. Each day that I shared my artwork and posted stories, I began to earn more and more attention, followed by praise from others that felt the same. This outlet became a way that I could connect with others and let them know that they aren’t alone when it comes to facing depressive episodes. Supporters began getting my artwork tattooed on their body, they began requesting custom artwork and merchandise.
Eventually, I was contacted by artist managers for high profile DJs and Musicians such as Noel Miller, Spock and Aweminus. My first big break was creating an art piece for a track by Kayzo that was released on Ultra Records. I would say that was the turning point in my career, this is where I realized that I can make an entire career out of my artwork. Soon after, I quit my day job as a Designer/IT manager at Morris & Reynolds Insurance and began working a part-time job in a tattoo studio on Miami Beach, Inked Life Miami. My mentor Kevin Deuso, a prominent painter and tattoo artist based in Miami Beach, taught me about the art of tattooing along with tips about drawing floral elements and overall artistic composition. After about a year of working in Miami Beach, I decided it was time to move on and travel.
Since then, I’ve been actively living back and forth between Miami, FL, and Columbia, South Carolina. Now I find myself creating artwork every day for touring artists and record labels in the EDM industry such as Kayzo, Wooli, Vampa, Welcome Records, DeadBeats, to name a few. Today I’m excited for what the future has to bring. If there was a lesson to be learned from my story, it is to practice the ability of channeling energy through art. If you feel something, put it on paper and move forward. Do this over and over until you heal and grow into the next chapter of your life.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would say that it has definitely not been a smooth road to get to where I am and there are still many struggles on the way. When I started, I was working full-time at an Insurance agency mainly as an IT manager. Being an artist working in an office environment was no fun and I was often met with oppression when they found me making sketches and drawing. I would have to work a 9-5, complete artwork during my lunch break, then when work was over, I would rush home to work on my brand and artwork from 5 PM till I fell asleep.
At one point, I juggled two jobs and then still managed to find ways of finishing and posting artwork whenever I had free time. Now that I work 100% for myself as a freelancer, I do have more time, but I’m also met with new challenges. But I can admit that no matter the struggle I have had before me and in front of me, I’m grateful to be where I am and know deep in my heart that it was all worth it.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
My brand BLXK MNTN has two parts to it. On one side, I post my personal artwork. This is the side that makes me unique and stands out from the noise. My artwork includes themes with bones, skeletons, roses, blades, ropes, all very traditional tattoo-style elements followed by a meaningful quote, which is usually inspired by music from The Weeknd among other popular musicians. I would say what makes me stand out is that my artwork is simple and deep all at once.
On the other side, I make videos and cover art for touring DJs. I enjoy this part a lot as well. Even though I can’t be personal about how I approach this type of artwork, I have a lot of fun animating and watching them displayed on Spotify or large EDM stages. For example, Vampa has been using tour visuals I made for about a year now and it’s always a great feeling to see that.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I do have some future plans. Up until now, I’ve been handling everything on my own from finances to finding leads to making artwork. Right now, my goal is to find my own artist manager, a team, someone to help me find bigger placements like having my artwork featured in films or on clothing lines such as H&M, Bathing Ape or XO. I look forward to making art my entire life, this isn’t a temporary stage, this is a lifestyle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blxkmntn.com/
- Email: bryan@blxkmntn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blxkmntn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLXKMNTN/
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